State v. Cochran

39 P. 155, 10 Wash. 562, 1895 Wash. LEXIS 26
CourtWashington Supreme Court
DecidedJanuary 10, 1895
DocketNo. 1407
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 39 P. 155 (State v. Cochran) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Washington Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Cochran, 39 P. 155, 10 Wash. 562, 1895 Wash. LEXIS 26 (Wash. 1895).

Opinions

[563]*563The opinion of the court was delivered by

Scott, J.

The defendant was convicted of the crime of seduction. One of the grounds upon which his appeal is based is that the evidence does not sustain the charge. The girl alleged to have been seduced was employed as a domestic in a family with whom the defendant and his family were living, and was sixteen years of age. She testified that the defendant had intercourse with her upon three different days within two weeks during the time of her said employment; that the first time he attempted to do so was when she had been there about three weeks; that the next attempt was six weeks later; that he tried it again about Christmas time, which was several weeks later, and again in February, but did not succeed at any of said times. Upon the day last referred to, a second attempt was made, about which she testified as follows :

‘ ‘ He went down town again, and she (his wife) came home, and I went to bed. I fell to sleep, and all at once I heard some one at the door, whispering ‘ Katie ’; I looked “ up and there was a man with a long coat on in the room. I was so frightened I couldn’t speak hardly, but I told him to go.
Question. Did you recognize him at that time ?
Answer. Yes.
Q. Go on and state what occurred there at that time.
A. He took off his hat, coat and shoes and went into bed with me.
Q. What did you do ?
A. I went as near the wall as I could, and told him to go or I would holler; he didn’t take any notice of that, but got on top of me and held me fast. I began to cry and struggle, and said I would holler.
Q. What did he do when he got into bed with you ?
A. Went on top of me.
Q. How long did he remain there that time ?
A. Twenty or twenty-five minutes.
Q. State whether or not he made you any promises; state what he said on that occasion ?
A. He promised that he would never get me into trouble, and that he would do anything in the world for me, if I would let him do as he wanted me to.
Q. What did you tell him ?
[564]*564A. I told him I would never, that I would rather die.
Q. How long was he there ?
A. Twenty or twenty-five minutes, somewhere around there.
O. Well, do you remember of him making any remark at that time as to the condition in which you were ?
A. He said, I won’t plague you any more, there is no use trying ; I won’t plague you any more if you will keep quiet. I thought he would keep his word, so I staid there.
Q. Did you tell him what you would do if he did not stop troubling you in that way ?
A. I said I would go and leave the place ; that I wasn’t allowed to stay in such a place,”

With reference to the first time he had intercourse with her, and directly following the foregoing testimony, she testified as follows:

“Question. When did he show any other attention to you after that; when was the next time ?
Answer. The latter part of March.
Q. You may now state to the jury the circumstances at that time.
A; Well, I went to bed and—
Q. Is this the time now that you are about to testify, the time of the offense that the defendant stands charged ?
A. Yes.
Q. Go on and state fully.
A. I went to bed and pretty soon I went to sleep; after a while I heard something move the bed, I looked up and he was there. I got frightened and told him to go. .He said he would not, and that he would stay until morning, unless I let him do as he wanted to. I said I would never, and he still said he would not go. I struggled so long that I was all tired out and he overpowered me. I couldn’t help myself any longer.
Q. What means did he use to overpower you at that time?
A. I fought so long I couldn’t move no more.
Q. State the manner in which he overpowered you.
A. He held me tight.
Q. What else ; did he tickle you any ?
A. Yes.
Q. State whether or not you are ticklish.
A. Yes.
[565]*565Q. Go on and state what else was done there at that time.
A. I don’t know what you mean.
Q. What promises did he make, if any ?
A. He said he wouldn’t get nie into trouble for anything in the world. He says, ‘ There is no danger, trust to me and you will be all right.’
Q. He got into bed with you at that time, did he ?
A. Yes.
Q. Now did he have on all his wearing apparel at that time?
A. He took off his hat, coat, shoes and waist. .
Q. What do you mean by his waist ?
A. His vest.
Q. Were you frightened ?
A. Yes.
Q. Well, state what occurred there, what was the first thing done ?
A. He got on me and held me so tight that I couldn’t move, and he said he wouldn’t go until morning unless I let him do as he wanted to. I said I would never give up, and that I would rather die than do anything wrong; then he tickled me, and I had to give up, I couldn’t help myself any longer.
O. You had finally to give up that time ?
A. Yes.
Q. Now, did he have connection with you on this occurrence ?
A. Yes.
Q. How long did he remain there, Miss Katie ?
A. I don’t exactly know; about half an hour.
Q. Your best judgment on that?
A. Oh, half an hour or less.
Q. You say he stayed there half an hour or less, what did he do then ?
A. Well, he fought and I struggled—
Q. I mean after you had been overcome, and he had accomplished his purpose,' and been there half an hour, what did he do then ?
A. Then he went out.”

As to the succeeding times she testified as follows:

“ Q.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

State v. McCollum
136 P.2d 165 (Washington Supreme Court, 1943)
State v. O'Hare
68 L.R.A. 107 (Washington Supreme Court, 1904)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
39 P. 155, 10 Wash. 562, 1895 Wash. LEXIS 26, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-cochran-wash-1895.